Homilies

24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: THE MESSIAH WHO SUFFERS

PETER'S CONFESSION on Jesus at Caesarea Philippi is an all-time confession of a disciple. But let it be recalled that Jesus did first ask his disciples what was the people’s assessment or view on him. As the disciples’ answers suggest, Jesus was seen as a prophet. Although, Jesus had an affinity with the prophets, it appeared that he was not satisfied with those answers because, the truth is, he is more than the prophets. Thus he asked another question, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus must have expected a better and deeper answer from the disciples because of their intimacy with him. It was Peter who rightly answered, “You are the Messiah!” It then appeared that Jesus must have agreed with what Peter had said, but, a different understanding of a Messiah, the Messiah who suffers.

There are three things which I would like to point out for our further reflections:

First, the question, “Who do you say that I am?,” must also be truthfully be answered by us. In our search for understanding who Jesus Christ is, we rely so much on how and what other people say or have said. We listened to the testimonies of the priests and bishops, the theologians, and the catechists. These are not wrong; these are correct and valid. But let us remember that Jesus is also interested in our personal testimonies about him. There must be an instance in our life wherein, like Peter, we have also expressed our personal testimonies on Jesus Christ. Peter’s confession on Jesus was great: He is the Messiah. But our own confession of who Jesus can also be great.

Second, the key to Peter’s confession is his intimacy with Jesus. Although, in some parts of the gospel, we heard of Peter being reprimanded by Jesus because of his mistakes, but Peter’s intimacy with Jesus has given him the opportunity to know more on Jesus, a knowledge which perhaps was hidden from the other disciples of Jesus. In the same way, for us to have a better personal testimony about Jesus, we need also to be intimate with Him. In human relationships, we are taught that time is an important element in knowing a spouse, a child, or a friend. We can only know the person better if we spend more time with that person. This can also be true to our relationship with God. If we pray often, if we open the pages of the Bible often, and if we go to mass often and receive Him in his Body and Blood, we can explore the depths of the knowledge of Jesus. These activities are opportunities for intimacy with Jesus.

Third, Peter’s answer, “You are the Messiah!” was a perfect answer, but, Jesus tried to explain to his disciples that He was not the kind of Messiah that they think. Indeed, He is the Messiah who will suffer. In fact, when Peter prayed and hoped that Jesus would not undergo suffering and death, he was reprimanded by Jesus. He was even called a Satan, meaning, an “obstacle” to the plan of God. We can associate ourselves with Peter though. We often hope for a life full of comfort, convenience, and pleasure. For us, this state is kind of life we aspire for. We don’t want to suffer actually. But as followers of Jesus, we also need to embrace his cross and suffering. Jesus is emphatic towards the end of the gospel, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” 

However, embracing the cross or suffering does not mean that we are to have a pathetic life. The cross is a call to hope in the midst of the suffering that we experience in our life. It is in hoping and enduring that we find meaning in our suffering. Ours is one of participation in the suffering of Christ.

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